I'm curious if there is any archaeological evidence from any of the ancient Egyptian periods south of Kerma. Do we know if Egyptian scholars knew about Lake Victoria or the source of the Niles other major tributaries?
Also, not sure if this should be another topic, but do we know if the Roman empire had any desire to explore south from Egypt? I understand the Sahara was considered an impasible frontier, but the nile seems like a nice fertile highway to new lands for conquest.
I ask because I've always imagined that some rich egyptian ruler or aristocrat, especially at the height of their empire when they controlled all the way down Nubia, would've sent a lewis and Clark esqe expedition up the Nile to figure out what's going on up there. I mean how many Egyptians with too much time on their hands wouldn't wonder where this body of water equivalent to a god comes from?